Universal mobile device holster with forward-urging curved spring

ABSTRACT

A universal mobile device holster is disclosed, the holster including a shell having a front side and a back side, which together define a cavity with an opening adapted to receive a mobile device. The holster also includes at least one forward-urging spring attached within the cavity, and adapted for applying forward force for aligning and for applying forward gripping pressure on a mobile device held within the cavity for ensuring that the mobile device is removably secure within the holster.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims priority of co-pending U.S. patent applicationSer. No. 12/493,453 filed Jun. 26, 2009, and entitled “Mobile DeviceHolster”, which claims priority from Provisional Patent Application Ser.Number 61/133,380 filed Jun. 27, 2008, and entitled “ Mobile DeviceQuick Draw Holster”, the entirety of each patent application beingincorporated herein by reference.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates generally to mobile devices, and moreparticularly to mobile device accessories.

BACKGROUND

Mobile devices such as cellular mobile devices, PDA's, GPS's, and thelike, have provided great convenience in communications, personalorganization, and computing, and are now commonplace and widely popular.The added convenience provided by such mobile devices has led to manypeople becoming dependent upon the devices. Such dependence has placedan obligation on many mobile device users to keep the device with them,within earshot, nearby, and/or on their person, at all times. There aremany ways to store the devices on or near the user, such as placing themin pockets, pocket books, purses, etc. Many of these storage methodshowever, can cause damage due to such things as other articles coming incontact with them, or by being crushed. Damage can also occur if thedevice unintentionally falls or slips out of its storage location.

Holsters have been devised to store mobile devices to prevent suchdamage. These holsters, however, are custom-designed for one particulartype of mobile device, thereby making them unsuitable for use withdevices other than the device for which the holster was designed.

SUMMARY

A universal mobile device holster is disclosed which can be used withmobile devices of a variety of shapes and sizes, nevertheless securelyholding the mobile device, while also allowing quick and efficientremoval of the mobile device from the holster.

A general aspect of the invention is a universal mobile device holster.The holster includes: an open shell having a front side and a back side,which together define a cavity with an opening adapted to receive amobile device; and at least one forward-urging positioning devicedisposed within the cavity, the at least one forward-urging positioningdevice being adapted to urge the mobile device forward against the frontside so as to securely and removably hold the mobile device within theopen shell.

In some embodiments, the at least one forward-urging positioning deviceincludes a curved spring. In further embodiments, the curved spring isattached to the back side of the open shell.

In some embodiments, an inner surface of the cavity opposite to theforward-urging positioning device provides friction when contacted bythe mobile device, thereby resisting vertical movement of the mobiledevice so as to retain the device in the holster unless the mobiledevice is intentionally removed from the holster.

In some embodiments, the back side is substantially flat, and the frontside is substantially curved.

In some embodiments, the cavity is about 30 to 300 percent larger involume than the mobile device to be inserted.

In some embodiments, the universal mobile device holder further includesat least one attachment mechanism for attaching the open shell to agarment.

In some embodiments, the at least one attachment mechanism includes anextended clip disposed along the top of the back side of the open shell.

In some embodiments, the at least one attachment mechanism includes atleast one belt loop attached to the back side of the open shell.

In some embodiments, the at least one attachment mechanism includes hookand loop material attached to the back side of the open shell.

In some embodiments, the at least one attachment mechanism includesnon-slip material attached to the back side of the open shell.

In some embodiments, the at least one attachment mechanism includes apin and pin receiver attached to the back side of the open shell.

In some embodiments, the at least one attachment mechanism includes aplurality of permanent magnets attached to the back side of the openshell.

Another general aspect of the invention is a universal mobile deviceholster including: an open shell having a front side, and a back side,which together define a cavity with an opening adapted to receive amobile device; at least one forward-urging positioning device disposedwithin the cavity, the at least one forward-urging positioning devicebeing adapted to urge the mobile device forward against the front sideso as to securely and removably hold the mobile device within the openshell; and an attachment mechanism disposed on the back side of the openshell capable of attaching the open shell to a garment.

In some embodiments, the attachment mechanism includes an extended clipdisposed along the top of the back side of the open shell.

In some embodiments, the attachment mechanism includes at least one beltloop attached to the back side of the open shell.

In some embodiments, the attachment mechanism includes a patch of a hookand loop material attached to the back side of the open shell.

In some embodiments, the attachment mechanism includes a pin and pinreceiver attached to the back side of the open shell.

In some embodiments, the attachment mechanism includes a plurality ofpermanent magnets attached to the back side of the open shell.

Another general aspect of the invention is a universal mobile deviceholster including: an open shell having a front side, and a back side,which together define a cavity with an opening adapted to receive amobile device; at least one forward-urging positioning device disposedwithin the cavity, the at least one forward-urging positioning devicebeing adapted to urge the mobile device forward against the front sideso as to securely and removably hold the mobile device within the openshell; and non-slip material attached to at least the back side of theopen shell for resisting removal of the universal mobile device holsterfrom a pocket of a garment.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The invention will be more fully understood from the following DetailedDescription, in conjunction with the following figures, wherein:

FIG. 1A is a perspective opaque front view of an embodiment of theuniversal mobile device holster;

FIG. 1B is a perspective transparent front view of the embodiment ofFIG. 1, showing the spring attached inside;

FIG. 2A is a perspective opaque back view of the embodiment of FIG. 1A;

FIG. 2B is a perspective transparent back view of the embodiment of FIG.2A, showing the spring of FIG. 1B;

FIG. 3A is an opaque side view of the embodiment of FIGS. 1A and 2A;

FIG. 3B is a transparent side view of the embodiment of FIG. 3A;

FIG. 4 is a perspective opaque back view of an embodiment having a topclip attachment device;

FIG. 5 is a perspective opaque back view of an embodiment having a pairof belt loops as the attachment device;

FIG. 6 is a perspective opaque back view of an embodiment having a patchof hook and/or loop material as the attachment device;

FIG. 7 is a perspective opaque back view of an embodiment having atleast a patch of non-slippery material so as to maintain the mobiledevice holster in a pocket of a garment;

FIG. 8 is a perspective opaque back view of an embodiment having a pinattachment device; and

FIG. 9 is a perspective opaque back view of an embodiment having aplurality of permanent magnets as the attachment device.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

FIG. 1A is a perspective opaque front view of an embodiment of theuniversal mobile device holster having a back side 10 and a front side12, which together define a cavity having an opening 13.

FIG. 1B is a perspective transparent front view of the embodiment ofFIG. 1, showing the spring 14 attached inside, the spring 14 beingattached to the back side 10. The spring is a piece of curved metal thatis resilient, and provides enough force to push the mobile device heldwithin against the opposing wall of the cavity. The spring can be linedor coated with a material, such as fabric, rubber, or plastic, thatresists slipping. Likewise, the inner surface of the front side 12 canbe coated or covered with a material that resists slipping, such as afabric that resists slipping.

FIG. 2A is a perspective opaque back view of the embodiment of FIG. 1A,again showing the back side 10 and the front side 12, also showing theopening 13.

FIG. 2B is a perspective transparent back view of the embodiment of FIG.2A, showing the spring 14 of FIG. 1B.

FIG. 3A is an opaque side view of the embodiment of FIGS. 1A and 2A,showing the back side 10, the front side 12, and the opening 13.

FIG. 3B is a transparent side view of the embodiment of FIG. 3A, showingthe back side 10, the front side 12, and the opening 13, as well as thespring 14.

FIG. 4 is a perspective opaque back view of an embodiment having a topclip attachment device 40 for attachment of the universal mobile deviceholster to a garment, a hand bag, or to a backpack.

FIG. 5 is a perspective opaque back view of an embodiment having a pairof belt loops 50 as the attachment device for attaching to any garmenthaving belt loops.

FIG. 6 is a perspective opaque back view of an embodiment having a patchof hook and/or loop material (Velcro™) as the attachment device forattaching to any garment or accessory that can bear a patch of hookand/or loop material.

FIG. 7 is a perspective opaque back view of an embodiment having atleast a patch of non-slippery material 70 so as to maintain the mobiledevice holster in a pocket of a garment.

FIG. 8 is a perspective opaque back view of an embodiment having a pinattachment device 80 for attaching the mobile holster to any garment oraccessory, such as a back pack.

FIG. 9 is a perspective opaque back view of an embodiment having aplurality of permanent magnets 90 as the attachment device, forattachment to a ferrous metal that is attached or embedded within agarment or accessory.

Other modifications and implementations will occur to those skilled inthe art without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention asclaimed. Accordingly, the above description is not intended to limit theinvention except as indicated in the following claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. A universal mobile device holster, the holstercomprising: an open shell having a front side and a back side, whichtogether define a cavity with an opening adapted to receive a mobiledevice; and at least one forward-urging positioning device disposedwithin the cavity, the at least one forward-urging positioning devicebeing adapted to urge the mobile device forward against the front sideso as to securely and removably hold the mobile device within the openshell.
 2. The universal mobile device holster of claim 1, wherein the atleast one forward-urging positioning device includes a curved spring. 3.The universal mobile device holster of claim 2, wherein the curvedspring is attached to the back side of the open shell.
 4. The universalmobile device holster of claim 1, wherein an inner surface of the cavityopposite to the forward-urging positioning device provides friction whencontacted by the mobile device, thereby resisting vertical movement ofthe mobile device so as to retain the device in the holster unless themobile device is intentionally removed from the holster.
 5. Theuniversal mobile device holster of claim 1, wherein; the back side issubstantially flat, and the front side is substantially curved.
 6. Theuniversal mobile device holster of claim 1, wherein the cavity is about30 to 300 percent larger in volume than the mobile device to beinserted.
 7. The universal mobile device holster of claim 1, furthercomprising: at least one attachment mechanism for attaching the openshell to a garment.
 8. The universal mobile device holster of claim 7,wherein the at least one attachment mechanism includes: an extended clipdisposed along the top of the back side of the open shell.
 9. Theuniversal mobile device holster of claim 7, wherein the at least oneattachment mechanism includes: at least one belt loop attached to theback side of the open shell.
 10. The universal mobile device holster ofclaim 7, wherein the at least one attachment mechanism includes: hookand loop material attached to the back side of the open shell.
 11. Theuniversal mobile device holster of claim 7, wherein the at least oneattachment mechanism includes: non-slip material attached to the backside of the open shell.
 12. The universal mobile device holster of claim7, wherein the at least one attachment mechanism includes: a pin and pinreceiver attached to the back side of the open shell.
 13. The universalmobile device holster of claim 7, wherein the at least one attachmentmechanism includes: a plurality of permanent magnets attached to theback side of the open shell.
 14. A universal mobile device holstercomprising: an open shell having a front side, and a back side, whichtogether define a cavity with an opening adapted to receive a mobiledevice; at least one forward-urging positioning device disposed withinthe cavity, the at least one forward-urging positioning device beingadapted to urge the mobile device forward against the front side so asto securely and removably hold the mobile device within the open shell;and an attachment mechanism disposed on the back side of the open shellcapable of attaching the open shell to a garment.
 15. The universalmobile device holster of claim 14, wherein the attachment mechanismincludes: an extended clip disposed along the top of the back side ofthe open shell.
 16. The universal mobile device holster of claim 14,wherein the attachment mechanism includes: at least one belt loopattached to the back side of the open shell.
 17. The universal mobiledevice holster of claim 14, wherein the attachment mechanism includes: apatch of a hook and loop material attached to the back side of the openshell.
 18. The universal mobile device holster of claim 14, wherein theattachment mechanism includes: a pin and pin receiver attached to theback side of the open shell.
 19. The universal mobile device holster ofclaim 7, wherein the attachment mechanism includes: a plurality ofpermanent magnets attached to the back side of the open shell.
 20. Auniversal mobile device holster comprising: an open shell having a frontside, and a back side, which together define a cavity with an openingadapted to receive a mobile device; at least one forward-urgingpositioning device disposed within the cavity, the at least oneforward-urging positioning device being adapted to urge the mobiledevice forward against the front side so as to securely and removablyhold the mobile device within the open shell; and non-slip materialattached to at least the back side of the open shell for resistingremoval of the universal mobile device holster from a pocket of agarment.